Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in Maryland:
1Cumberland Visitor Center - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Cumberland, MDThe Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is a significant historical site located in the District of Columbia and the state of Maryland. Established in 1961 as a National Monument by President Dwight D Eisenhower, the park serves to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and many of its original structures. This park provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore a significant part of American history. 2Baltimore Museum of Industry
Baltimore, MDThe Baltimore Museum of Industry is situated in a former cannery in Baltimore, Maryland. This unique location provides a fitting backdrop for the museum's exhibits, which focus on various types of manufacturing and industry from the early 20th century. Visitors can explore the museum's hands-on sections, which feature working equipment and other artifacts. 3Ss John W. Brown
Baltimore, MDToday, the SS John W. Brown serves as a museum, located at Pier 1 on Clinton Street in the port of Baltimore, Maryland. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its rich history, from its construction to its service during World War II and beyond. 4Phoenix Shot Tower
Baltimore, MDThe Phoenix Shot Tower, also known as the Old Baltimore Shot Tower, is a significant landmark in East Baltimore, Maryland. This red brick shot tower stands at a height of 234.25 feet and is conveniently located near the downtown, Jonestown, and Little Italy communities. When it was completed in 1828, it was the tallest structure in the United States, a testament to its historical significance and architectural prowess. 5Historic Ships in Baltimore
Baltimore, MDThe Historic Ships in Baltimore is a maritime museum situated in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. This museum is a result of the merger of the USS Constellation Museum and the Baltimore Maritime Museum, making it a significant location for maritime history enthusiasts. 6Hagerstown Aviation Museum
Hagerstown, MDThe Hagerstown Aviation Museum is situated at the Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland. This location is easily accessible and provides a unique setting for the museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. 7Choptank River Lighthouse
Cambridge, MDThe first lighthouse at the Choptank River location was constructed in 1871 by Francis A. Gibbons. This lighthouse was built to replace a lightship that was previously stationed at the same location. The transition from a lightship to a lighthouse marked a significant development in the maritime history of the region. 8Gaithersburg Station
Gaithersburg, MDThe Gaithersburg station is not just a transportation hub, but also a historical site. The former Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station building and freight shed, built in 1884, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings now house the Gaithersburg Community Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the city's past and its railway history. 9National Capital Trolley Museum
Cloverly, MDThe National Capital Trolley Museum (NCTM) is a nonprofit organization that operates historic street cars, trolleys, and trams for the public on a regular schedule. The museum is located in Montgomery County, Maryland, and its primary mission is to preserve and interpret the history of the electric street and interurban railways of the National Capital region. The museum was incorporated on January 4, 1961, and has since been dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the history of the electric street and interurban railways. 10Computer Museum @ System Source
Hunt Valley, MDThe System Source Computer Museum is situated in the scenic Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of computing in a dedicated museum setting. 11B&O Railroad Museum
Baltimore, MDThe B&O Railroad Museum is situated at the Mount Clare Station of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This location is notable for its roundhouse, a distinctive architectural feature built between 1851 and 1884 by Ephraim Francis Baldwin in the Georgian style. This historical building adds to the charm and authenticity of the museum experience. 12Baltimore Streetcar Museum
Baltimore, MDThe Baltimore Streetcar Museum (BSM) is a nonprofit organization situated at 1911 Falls Road in Baltimore, Maryland. The museum is committed to preserving the history of Baltimore's public transportation, with a particular focus on the era of the streetcar. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of Baltimore's public transportation and gain a deeper understanding of the city's past. 13Canal Place
Cumberland, MDCanal Place, a 58.1-acre heritage area, is situated in Cumberland, Maryland at the western end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. This location is rich in history and offers a unique insight into the past. It's a great place for tourists who are interested in history and nature. 14Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
St. Michaels, MDThe Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, located in St. Michaels, Maryland, is home to a vast collection of artifacts, exhibits, and ships from the Chesapeake Bay. This interactive museum, founded in 1965 at Navy Point, was once a site of seafood packing factories, docks, and working boats. Today, it houses the world's largest collection of Chesapeake Bay boats and offers interactive exhibits in and around the 35 buildings that dot the campus. 15Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
Ellicott City, MDThe Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, located in Ellicott City, Maryland, holds the distinction of being the oldest remaining passenger railway station in the United States, and one of the oldest in the world. This historical significance makes it a unique destination for those interested in the history of rail travel and transportation. 16Bowie Railroad Museum
Bowie, MDThe Bowie Railroad Museum is located in the town center of Bowie, Maryland, and is made up of three small frame structures that were part of the former Bowie train station. These buildings are situated at the junction of what is now known as the Northeast Corridor and the Pope's Creek Subdivision. The museum offers a unique glimpse into the history of rail transportation in the region. 17Western Maryland Railway Historical Society Museum
Union Bridge, MDThe Union Bridge station, located in Union Bridge, Carroll County, Maryland, is a historic railway station that was built in 1902. It served as a stop for the Western Maryland Railway, playing a significant role in the transportation history of the region. 18Cove Point Lighthouse - Calvert Marine Museum
Lusby, MDThe Cove Point Light, a lighthouse situated on the west side of Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland, is a significant historical site. It was constructed in 1828 by John Donahoo, a renowned lighthouse builder of his time. This lighthouse stands as a testament to the rich maritime history of the region and offers a unique insight into the past. 19Glenn L Martin Maryland Aviation Museum
Middle River, MDThe Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is situated at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland. This location is not only convenient for visitors but also holds historical significance as it was once a hub for aviation manufacturing and innovation. 20National Electronics Museum
Linthicum, MDThe National Electronics Museum in Linthicum, Maryland, is a unique institution that showcases the history of defense electronics in the United States. The museum's exhibits include a wide range of items, from telegraphs and radios to radars and satellites. It provides a fascinating insight into the evolution of electronic technology and its role in national defense. 21Baltimore Public Works Museum
Baltimore, MDThe museum offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at how a large city like Baltimore provides public works utility services to its citizens. This included exhibits on street lighting, road maintenance, and trash removal, providing a comprehensive understanding of the city's infrastructure. 22Perryville Railroad Museum
Perryville, MDThe Perryville station has a rich history, having been originally built by the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in 1905. Later, it was adopted by the Pennsylvania Railroad. This historical significance adds to the charm and appeal of the station for visitors.- 23
Sandy Spring Museum
Sandy Spring, MDThe Sandy Spring Museum was established with the primary aim of preserving the history of the surrounding area of Sandy Spring, Maryland. It was founded as a local history museum and has since evolved to support community-driven cultural arts and educational programs. The museum's mission is to gather the community and foster a sense of place and belonging. - 24
Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum
Hagerstown, MDThe Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum is situated at 300 South Burhans Boulevard in Hagerstown, Maryland, USA. This location is easily accessible and provides a convenient spot for tourists interested in railroad history and model railroads. - 25
Furnace Town Historic Site
Snow Hill, MDThe Old Furnace Town Heritage Museum, located near Snow Hill, Maryland, is an outdoor museum that brings history to life. It uses a living history format, complete with live demonstrations, to recreate a 19th-century community that has since vanished. Visitors can experience the past in a unique and engaging way, making it a memorable destination for history enthusiasts and families alike. - 26
Eden Mill Nature Center
Pylesville, MDEden Mill Nature Center is a nature center located in Pylesville, Maryland, United States. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and learn about the natural environment in a serene setting. - 27
National Capital Radio & Television Museum
Bowie, MDThe National Capital Radio & Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, is a unique institution dedicated to the education of the public on the evolution and history of electronic media. The museum showcases a vast collection of radio and television technology from different eras, providing a comprehensive overview of the development of these mediums. Visitors can explore the rich history of electronic media and gain a deeper understanding of its impact on society. - 28
Fire Museum of Maryland
Towson, MDThe Fire Museum of Maryland, established in 1971, is situated in Lutherville, Maryland, in close proximity to Baltimore. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the Baltimore area. - 29
J Millard Tawes Museum - Crisfield Heritage Foundation
Crisfield, MDThe J. Tawes Historical Museum is situated in a picturesque location on the Somers Cove Marina in Crisfield, Maryland, United States. This location not only offers a rich historical experience but also provides a scenic view of the marina, making it a perfect spot for tourists who appreciate both history and nature. - 30
Massey Air Museum
Millington, MDThe Massey Air Museum is an aviation museum located near Massey, Maryland, in the United States. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the aviation heritage of Maryland and Delaware. The museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the history of aviation in the region.